Bucher FS 10 aircraft tractor 78

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Bucher aircraft tug pulls F / A-18

The Bucher FS 10 aircraft tug 78 (abbreviated to Flz Schl 78 ) is an aircraft tug of the Swiss Air Force .

A total of 86 units were delivered to the Luftwaffe between 1978 and 1983. It was acquired in order to have a suitable tow vehicle available for the Tiger aircraft.

General

The Bucher FS 10 was produced by Bucher Industries ; today Mowag is responsible for the spare parts supply . The aircraft tractor is very compact and has an extremely small turning circle in order to be able to work on small areas and in tight spaces (in aircraft caverns or armored aircraft shelters). For work in caverns and aircraft shelters, they are powered by diesel engines (no spark plugs as with gasoline engines due to the risk of explosion from kerosene fumes). For reasons of health protection, it is equipped with a switchable exhaust particle filter. For precise maneuvering in the caverns, tunnels and shelters, the aircraft tugs are equipped with a special floor lighting headlight (called Viseur) - with the light cone of this headlight, the driver must follow the respective floor markings of the corresponding aircraft type in order to travel quickly and safely in the confined spaces can. The aircraft tugs are equipped with four quick-release couplings as standard. This means that they can be loaded onto any flatbed truck in the Swiss Army with a crane in a short time. The aircraft tugs are roadworthy, but with their 80 km range and maximum speed of 25 km / h they cannot be used independently for ad hoc relocations. Such an ad-hoc laying ability was achieved with the 4 crane couplings. Such ad hoc relocations were part of the deployment concept of the Swiss Air Force in the Cold War. It was planned to use different sections of the motorway as air force bases. This was also done several times in exercises. The Bucher aircraft tractors relocated in this way were also used for these exercises. For example, during the “U TAUTO” exercise on March 24, 1982, the aircraft tugs were stationed at the “Windrose” motorway service station near Münsingen

Dassault Falcon 900 and aircraft tug

The aircraft tractor is also used for the on-board power supply of small jets without APU (e.g. F-5) and as a tractor for approx. 1–4 engine starter units or for the ad-hoc transport of mechanics and tools (e.g. spare wheels and jack in the event of a flat tire on landed aircraft). The Swiss Air Force uses the aircraft tractor primarily for the Northrop F-5 E and F-5F as well as for the Aérospatiale AS 332 Super Puma and Cougar helicopters . Towing the McDonnell Douglas F / A-18 is also possible, but is seldom practiced because other aircraft tugs were purchased for this aircraft (e.g. Douglas). During the World Economic Forum , these aircraft tugs will also be used at the Dübendorf military airfield for the government jets parked there, such as B. Gulfstream G500 used. In addition to the Swiss Air Force, Ju-Air is another user of these aircraft tugs and uses them for their Junkers Ju 52 / 3m at the Dübendorf military airfield. The tug was also used for the Hawk training aircraft before they were sold to Finland. In order to drive the aircraft tractor, a category IV / 1 military driver's license is required together with a civilian driver's license.

Technical specifications

  • Length: 3000 mm
  • Width: 1500 mm
  • Height: 1300 mm
  • Empty weight: 2750 kg
  • Payload: 450 kg
  • Total weight: 3200 kg
  • Wheelbase: 1400 mm
  • Turning circle: 6550 mm (profile circle diameter 6.35 m)
  • Top speed: 25 km / h
  • Power: 49 kW
  • Engine: Mercedes-Benz OM 617 (3005 cm³), 5-cylinder in-line engine, four-stroke, pre-chamber process
  • Type certificate number: 50-0760

Web links

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ data sheet on Militärfahrzeuge.ch